Tampa Bay ranks among Inc. magazine's Top 25.
The Tampa-St. Petersburg- Clearwater metropolitan area ranked 14th on Inc. magazine's list of the 25 best large cities to start a business, according to a list in the March 2004 edition.
Sustained job growth across a balance of industries was cited as the major factor in Inc.'s rankings and a major indicator of the region's economic vitality for entrepreneurs.
Sarasota metro area (Sarasota-Bradenton) ranked third among medium-metro areas in the rankings. “(Sarasota) may well be Florida's 'next big thing,' an affordable coastal region that attracts many skilled, middle-class emigrants from the north. A sizable tech work force has made this among the fastest-growing areas for information-based industries.”
Inc. magazine reviewed 277 cities on a range of factors including history of job growth, local support, and overall affordability. Florida was cited as the No. 1 state, claiming six of the top 25 cities in the large-metro category. The publication noted, “Florida continues to create new jobs, which is the leading measurement in determining which American cities were chosen for this recognition.”
“The Tampa Bay region continues to stand out among communities across the nation and around the world for the vitality of its business climate,” said Stuart L. Rogel, president and CEO of the Tampa Bay Partnership, in a release.
Business Journal of Tampa Bay [via Moreover]